News
Joseph Baker appointed professor at KPE and inaugural chair in sport science, data modelling and sport analytics at TISS
July 7, 2023
The Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education has announced the appointment of Joseph Baker to a tenure stream position at the rank of full professor, effective September 1, 2023. Baker was chosen for the position as a result of the tenure stream position search in the area of sport science and data modelling. Along with his appointment as full professor, Baker will be the inaugural holder of the endowed Tanenbaum chair in sport science, data modelling and sport analytics at U of T’s Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport (TISS).
Researchers help youth get involved with Toronto’s net-zero carbon plan
July 5, 2023
The City of Toronto plans to reduce city-wide carbon emissions to net zero by 2040, and researchers from the U of T are helping to ensure young people play a key role in reaching its goal. A new report outlining best practices will guide researchers as they co-design a youth engagement strategy with the city for its TransformTO Net Zero Strategy – one of the most ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in North America.
Toronto mayoral candidates debate at U of T’s School of Cities
June 25, 2023
On June 12, the six frontrunners of the Toronto mayoral byelection participated in a debate at U of T’s Innis Town Hall, hosted by the School of Cities. The debate was themed around housing affordability, and candidates took questions from student leaders and community advocates.
Nature ranks U of T among top three institutions in the world for health sciences research output
June 19, 2023
U of T is the third-most prolific institution in the world – and second among universities – for health sciences research, according to the 2023 Nature Index Annual Tables rankings. Leah Cowen told Nature that U of T’s top-three ranking reflects its commitment to collaboration in the health sphere: "“We’re really committed to engaging on the full spectrum of research, all the way from state-of-the-art pioneering fundamental research through to clinical research, knowledge translation, clinical trials, drug discovery and bio-innovation.”
Sustainable Future – Challenge Accepted! Equitable Communities Ep. 5
June 13, 2023
This instalment explores the intersection between equity, the environment and the economy. Karen Chapple, director of U of T’s School of Cities, says students and researchers are coming up with new ways to address the challenges of affordable housing and energy efficiency – and the next step is to put those ideas into practice.
Data, Heat and Parks: DSI Funded Researchers explore the Connection
June 7, 2023
Hotter days in Toronto mean more people flocking to parks for relief, but just how are these green spaces being utilized during extreme heat? University of Toronto researchers, who were awarded the Data Access Grant by the Data Sciences Institute, are analyzing patterns of human activity, park usage and air temperatures to shed light on the impact of extreme […]
June 2023 is "Mobility Month"
May 31, 2023
Mobility Network proclaims June 2023 as “Mobility Month,” during which the initiative will host a record number of events showcasing the many facets of Mobility Network research demonstrating the work of “Getting Underway” to a sustainable, equitable mobility future.
Can AI help make our buildings more sustainable?
May 30, 2023
Assistant Professor Seungjae Lee is working on a pilot project aimed at reducing U of T’s climate footprint by using machine learning to optimize heating and cooling systems in existing buildings
U of T 2022 Research & Innovation Annual Report released
May 25, 2023
The Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sports (TISS), Institute for Pandemics, Robotics Institute and the Toronto Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Consortium (TC3) are amongst the institutional strategic initiatives whose work is highlighted in the 2022 Research and Innovation Annual Report.
U of T researchers developing AI system to tackle harmful social media content
May 12, 2023
What if we used artificial intelligence to combat such harmful content such as hate speech and misinformation? That’s the goal of a team of University of Toronto researchers who were awarded a Catalyst Grant by the Data Sciences Institute (DSI) to develop an AI system to address the marginalization of communities in data-centric systems – including social media platforms such as Twitter.
Shifting gears: How data science led Madeleine Bonsma-Fisher from studying germ models to bike lanes
May 10, 2023
A cycling activist, Bonsma-Fisher is studying traffic patterns as part of her post-doctoral research at the University of Toronto’s Data Sciences Institute, an institutional strategic initiative that is a tri-campus hub for number crunchers across disciplines. Before that, she modelled evolutionary interactions between microbes. The common thread? Data and data analysis.
In partnership with students, U of T launches strategic initiative to improve mental health outcomes through research
May 3, 2023
Inlight funds leading-edge research on youth and student mental health to uncover the evidence and data needed to inform and improve mental health services on university campuses – both at U of T and at universities across Ontario and around the world. The initiative stems from the recommendations of a 2019 report by the Presidential & Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health.